Way back when,Covet: Island of Desire in Week 1 of the 2016 NFL season, the league made a big announcement — it would finally allow players to wear customized cleats. But only during Week 13.
The NFL nabbed a handful of players this season for wearing cleats that violated the league's notoriously strict uniform policy. Players still found ways to sport custom cleats, though, donning shoes within their team's color scheme or simply ditching the custom kicks before kickoff.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, players don't have to worry this weekend -- Week 13 has finally arrived.
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"My Cause, My Cleats," as the NFL is calling it, comes with a couple caveats.
This week's custom cleats need to honor a specific cause or charity, which the league had to approve before this week. Second, players must auction off their cleats after the game and donate all of the proceeds to their chosen charity.
More than 500 players will join the movement this weekend, according to the league. Here's a look at some of the cleats they're already unveiling.
Ezekiel Elliott cleats this week will support animals, features his dog Ace (via @DallasCowboys) pic.twitter.com/jL5RMOsbdZ
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 29, 2016
.@NFL players can wear customized cleats in Week 13, and @ChrisHarrisJr will rep the @CHJRFoundation#TheSqueeze » https://t.co/QycxVHJjjs pic.twitter.com/sdMI4Ta3eu
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 29, 2016
NFL letting players wear anything on their cleats for Week 13 to support charitable causes. This is for @drewbrees pic.twitter.com/yQQ8QWgXT3
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 29, 2016
Week 13 has arrived in the NFL and @Millerlite40's custom cleats are ready for all the 👀s. #MyCauseMyCleats pic.twitter.com/hvCtPV9prq
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) November 29, 2016
NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins will wear anti-human trafficking cleats next week. :https://t.co/qZ3y3OcmCr pic.twitter.com/UcZMnJvjV7
— RELEVANT (@RELEVANT) November 29, 2016
Gavin Escobar's charitable cleats say "feeling nuts," promoting testicular cancer awareness. Gavin was diagnosed w/testicular cancer at 18. pic.twitter.com/p5HOGKIJMj
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) November 29, 2016
.@DangeRussWilson's custom cleats for Week 13! 🔥 #MyCauseMyCleats pic.twitter.com/reY5s08zse
— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2016
Players have been fined in the past for sporting custom cleats, even if they supported a charitable cause.
The league fined Brandon Marshall for sporting lime-green cleats to support Mental Illness Awareness Week in 2013, and handed William Gay a $5,787 fine last year for his purple cleats, which the Steelers' cornerback wore to promote domestic violence awareness.
The NFL will finally celebrate individuality this week, instead of trouncing it, as the league usually does.
